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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Duterte bloc' still undecided on Senate President bet, says Bato

'Duterte bloc' still undecided on Senate President bet, says Bato

Published May 20, 2025 06:21 pm

At A Glance

  • Other than Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Senator-elect Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, other senators can also contend for the top Senate post, according to Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa.

The so-called “Duterte bloc” has yet to choose who would be their bet for the next Senate president. 

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa confirmed this on Tuesday, May 20 saying the have yet to come up with a final decision since some of them are still abroad. 

The members of the Senate who are allied with former president Rodrigo Duterte include Dela Rosa, Senators Christopher “Bong” Go, Imee Marcos, and Robinhood “Robin” Padilla and senator-elect and Sagip party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta. 

Dela Rosa, Go, and Marcos won a fresh six-year Senate term. 

“We don’t have a final decision yet,” Dela Rosa told reporters in Filipino in an interview.

“We haven’t talked about it yet. We still have to discuss it. We can’t have a final decision since Sen. Padilla is still abroad; we’ll wait for his return and then discuss things,” he added. 

Padilla earlier went to the Netherlands when the former leader was brought to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to face charges of crimes against humanity which stemmed from his administration’s brutal war against illegal drugs. 

Former Senate president Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, who also won in the last May 2025 elections, earlier disclosed that  a number of senators have expressed willingness to support his return as the Senate leader. 

Asked if he wants incumbent Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero replaced, Dela Rosa said he has no problems with the current leader of the Upper Chamber. 

“So far we’re good,” the former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief said. 

Nevertheless, Dela Rosa said that other than Escudero, other senators could potentially contend for the Senate leadership. 

“I’m sure there are others there who have that kind of ambition. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, can also run. There are so many possibilities,” he said, adding that Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, former Senate president, is also another potential candidate. 

“I just see the capabilities of my colleagues in the Senate,” the senator said.

Related Tags

Bato Dela Rosa Duterte bloc Former president Duterte Chiz Escudero Tito Sotto
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